February 9, 2023 (San Francisco, CA) – On February 1, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) rolled out a discriminatory policy that forces bearded peace officers, including Sikh officers who held religious accommodations, to shave or face disciplinary sanctions.

In response, today the Sikh Coalition and ACLU of Northern California sent a letter to CDCR detailing our “grave concerns” regarding the policy and the disproportionate impact that it has on Sikhs and others who are religiously mandated to keep facial hair and Black and brown CDCR peace officers–specifically Black men who are far more likely to suffer from Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB), a painful skin condition caused by shaving.

“This policy has created enormous fear and confusion for Sikh CDCR peace officers whose previously held religious accommodations are no longer valid. It now seemingly forces them to either comply with the shaving requirement under extreme duress or risk their employment,” said Harsimran Kaur, Sikh Coalition Senior Counsel. “The discriminatory policy change is not only untenable for Sikh peace officers; its effect is enormous because it adversely impacts every peace officer who requires a religious or medical beard accommodation.”

Over the past week since the discriminatory policy was enacted, the Sikh Coalition has received multiple requests from Sikh officers across the state looking for immediate legal assistance. In response, the Sikh Coalition has begun a legal investigation while engaging California lawmakers and several key state agencies, including CDCR, with explicit demands for the policy to be halted.

“Regardless of where you choose to work, nobody should ever have to make the false choice between their faith or career,” said Ms. Kaur. “While we support CDCR’s attempt to create a safe working environment for its employees, this new policy presents serious religious liberty, disability rights, and racial justice issues. We strongly urge halting the implementation of the new policy before any other peace officer is forced to make this false choice again.”

The Sikh Coalition remains at the forefront to protect Sikh religious rights in the workplace. To read more about the efforts and significant impact of that work in multiple employment areas, click here.

As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.